Beckham County, OK - Obits: James T. Pearson, 1923
Monday, 15 Sep 2008
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

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PEARSON, JAMES T.
(27 Sep 1923, Elk City Newspaper, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
ELK CITY BOY IN DESTROYED SQUADRON
When the news came of the wreck off Honda, Cal., on Sept. 8, which cost
seven ships, and the lives of 23 enlisted men, our people did not realize
that a young man who had lived most of his life in and around Elk City was
among the number.  A telegram came the first part of last week and
Postmaster Willison was trying to find out who J. T. Pearson was as the
telegram stated his son in the navy had been killed.  It proved to be
James T. Pearson, who had for eleven years made his home in the James D.
McDonald home of Ural neighborhood and where he was counted as one of the
family.  His mother died when he was small and L. W. Hicks and wife kept
him for a year, after which he made his home at the McDonald home until he
was called in the late war.  After his return from that, he enlisted in
the navy.  A report has been received that on account of having some
trouble with his eye, which were injured when he was fireman on the ship,
he had to wear glasses.  When the vessel on which he was stationed was
hit, his glasses were broken and both eyes were put out, then a second hit
of the vessel came and he was washed overboard and drowned.
The death of the young man is felt keenly by Mr. and Mrs. McDonald, who,
having no children of their own, gave him a great place in their heart's
affection.  They have also taken two other young boys in their home where
they are like their own.
The father of the young man has not been located.  His mother's body was
buried in the old cemetery just south of Elk City.
(1 Nov 1923, Elk City News Democrat, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
James T. Pearson, who lost his life on Delphy ship on September 8th, 1923,
off Honda, California, was born in Woodward, Okla., on February 9th, 1896,
being 27 years, 7 months and 1 day old.
He volunteered in the late war and served in the Telephone Department in
San Antonio, Texas, until the armistice was signed, then joined the navy
in 1920, served three years, after which he returned here for a while and
then re-enlisted in the navy.
He came to Elk City when a young boy, where his mother died, after which
he made his home for a short time at the L. W. Hix home and for eleven
years was a member of the J. W. McDonald home, where he was loved as one
of their own.  He was always so considerate of them, writing and keeping
them posted about himself and always remembered Mrs. McDonald on Mother's
Day.  She treasures so much the last card received this year.
He was a fine young man, with many good traits of character and was held
in the highest esteem by all who knew him.
He leaves besides his friends, his father, James T. Pearson, a sister,
Miss Ethel Pearson and brother, Earl Pearson.
Funeral services were held at San Diego, Calif., where his body was laid
to rest.

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